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Record attendence at Christmasworld |
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Written by Amanda Ryder
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Feb. 16, 2011 - A record 31,493 visitors came out to see the latest
products and trends in the Christmas and event decorating market at Christmasworld, held in Frankfurt, Germany Jan. 28 - Feb. 1.
“Christmasworld is the unsung star of our portfolio of consumer-goods fairs and made its mark this year with a new visitor record. Moreover, one in two of all visitors came from outside Germany. Thus, Christmasworld is the leading inter national trade fair for festive decorations and unchallenged in this field”, said Detlef Braun.
For the first time, Christmasworld expanded the range of florists’ requisites to cover two exhibition halls in 2011. New was the focal point in Hall 9.0. “This was our first time at Christmasworld and it was a great success. Everyone from proprietors of small shops to bulk buyers visited us and ordered not only Christmas articles but also products for the spring. Therefore, you can be sure that we will be back again for Christmasworld 2012”; said Kenneth Johansen, Managing Director of Mr Plant AB. No less positive was the impression gained by Alexandra Dörschmann, Marketing Manager of candle makers Eika: “We felt like a magnet for visitors in Hall 9.0. Our stand was always very busy.” She also said that the surroundings were good. “Thanks to the interesting exhibitors all around us, it certainly paid for buyers to come to Hall 9.0.”
One of the event's highlights was the ‘Merry Marriage’ special show in Hall 9.0 (stand D50). With over 5,000 real chrysanthemums, around 1,000 Christmas baubles and more than 1,500 silk flowers, Rudi Tuinman and Pascale Koeleman of Holland’s 2Dezign lifestyle company staged a wedding at Christmas on around 300 square metres. Inside a church, they showed romantic table decorations, extraordinary brides’ bouquets, arrangements for the church interior design and room decorations. “Common yet extravagant flowers are a must for a modern winter wedding. Chrysanthemums are ideal for this thanks to their multifarious shapes and their brilliant and rich colours”, explains Koeleman.
The designers of stylists bora.herka presented the latest trends for the decoration season 2011 / 2012 in the Trend Show in Galleria 1. Using products supplied by Christmasworld exhibitors to create four thematic worlds, they showed how cultural pressures, nature, modernism and tendencies from the fifties are set to influence the sector in 2011 / 2012. The Trend Show also offered visitors practical tops for compiling their product assortment, as well as inspiration for window dressing and product presentations.
Trends 2011/2012
Christmas 2011: naturalness, quality and tradition
When it comes to Christmas decorations, the trend conscious will rely on cool blue or berry shades in 2011. However, traditionalists have not been neglected with collections in red, silver, gold, brown and white being available. Ensembles in delicate shades of rosé are also enjoying a renaissance. Given that most people prefer to decorate their trees in the way they remember from their childhood, many manufacturers bank on traditional decorations. As in grand mother’s day, there are classic baubles with and without ornamentation, but also hearts, stylised fir trees and stars. The foremost source of inspiration in 2011 remains nature. However, fashions and interior design are also influential so that flowers of all colours, birds, chandeliers, cocktail glasses and even perfume bottles are also available. However, flashy tree decorations will play a significantly less important role than last season. The opulence of the recent past is much reduced – the lines are clearer and inspired by classic models. This development is also visible in the candle market. There is no serious competition for classic pillar candles, as well as tea and wind lights. Striking is the on-going trend towards high-quality products with high-grade workmanship made in Germany or Europe being very popular. In the case of materials, tree decorations are dominated by glass while, in all other cases, it is natural materials, such as wood, willow and wool that set the tone.
LED lighting – wireless and interactively controllable
The marketing for LED lighting is booming and there seems to be no limits to the uses to which energy-saving light-emitting diodes can be put. Luminaires, fairy lights, illuminated animal figures, planters and colourful, blinking Christmas decorations are becoming increasingly perfect in technical terms – and cheaper. Wireless, battery powered outdoor lighting is in the vanguard of the next conquering wave of LED lighting for the garden and terrace. LED light curtains are in creasingly being used all year round in public areas and, in many cases, are individually branded. Interactive control technology invites customers to set the lighting to suit their own requirements.
Playful creativity is in demand
Furled street-cafe sun parasols will be covered next winter by an ‘umbrellatopper®’ in the form of an oversized Santa’s hat. Screw-in holders that permit standard table candles to be used will replace classic tree candleholders. The gift-wrapping industry is turning to industrial fibres and sheeting. The tear and water proof fabrics and paper, which are also non-inflammable and come in a variety of colours and designs, are ideal for making presents more creative.
Naturalness and tradition for Easter, too
Traditional designs also play a major role at Easter and rabbits, chickens and eggs come in fresh spring colours, such as light green, bright yellow and orange. Accents are set by deep blue while rosé is also to be seen on occasions. The setting comprises natural materials, such as wood, bark and wickerwork, as well as milled wool and felt.
Next year's Christmasworld will be held in Frankfurt and runs Jan. 27-31, 2012.
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